Improvement in apparatus for extinguishing fires



UNITED STATES GORTON W. NICHOLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 119,638, dated October 3, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GoRToN W. NICHOLS, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and the State of Illinois, have invented an Improved Apparatus for Extinguishing Fires; and do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompany ing drawing making part of this specification- Figure 1 being a vertical section of the extinguisher, Fig. 2, external view of same.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in both gures.

In this extinguisher carbonio-acid gas is generated and projected upon the iire by the use and combined arrangement of the following principal parts and chemicals, as specied.

A strong' metallic reservoir, A, provided with two cocks, B and F, is filled nearly full with a solution of carbonate of soda in water, to which is then added a proper proportion of sulphuric acid. Instantaneous generation of carbonio-acid gas follows, developing pressure sufficient to cast an elevated jet. The special manner in which the solution of acid is brought in contact inside the vesselAis by means of alarge funnel-mouthed cock or faucet, B, firmly united to the reservoir A, and provided with an air-vent, D. The cock B being thrown open the carbonate of soda in powder is first introduced through it to the inside of the reservoir A, being poured or shaken out of an envelope or cartridge. Water in sufficient quantity is then also introduced through the cock B, which may be used to its full capacity as the air within the reservoir A escapes at the vent D, which opens and closes in common with the main passage through B. A bottle less in size than the orifice through B, filled with acid, after-being iirst uncorked, is next dropped into the reservoir A through B, which is instantly closed, and the charging is complete. A short hose, with suitable nozzle, is attached to the cock F, through which the contents of A may be ejected. As the pressure in the reservoir A necessarily decreases as the contents are ejected at F provision is made, and the charging-cock B is used as an exhaust to instantly furnish adequate vent for the weaker portion of the charge, which, escaping at once, leaves the extinguisher empty and ready to be recharged, which in case of fire at an elevation is important, as pressure adequate must be maintained. This feature also makes this extinguisher practicable for other than incipient conflagrations, rendering it capable of such rapid recharging that its effect in subduing re is practically continuous. The acid never being introduced into the reservoir until the instant the machine is required to act, the charge remains always fresh and of the same generating power. Duplicate bottles of acid and packages of soda, prepared ready for use, are kept always convenient in a receptacle attached to some part of reservoir A, one form of which is shown at E. Vhen the proper proportions of chemicals are broughtin contactin a closed vessed ofthe proper capacity the carbonic-acid gas evolved produces a pressure of nearly one hundred pounds to the square inch, steam-gauge, capable, through the discharging nozzle commonly employed, of casting a jet forty or iifty feet perpendicular height. This pressure commences immediately to expand itselfl and to decrease, so that in from sixty to ninety seconds the height to which the jet is thrown is reduced fully one-half, and in a' few seconds more so greatly as to be no further available. As extinguishers have been heretofore constructed, several minutes more must elapse for this unavailable remainder of the charge to expend itself before the head can be removed with safety and a new ehargeintroduced. This last, also, by these old methods consumes too much time-so much, indeed, that extinguishers as now constructed are seldom or never recharged for use upon the same occasion. Fires which cannot be subdued in from one and a half to two minutes are given over to burn out ormake work for the department. With my improvement, however, when the pressure has decreased so that the jet is no longer efficient, by a single movement of the hand the lcock may be thrownopen and the whole of the remaining portion of the gas instantly let escape. By this means from one-half to two-thirds of the water will be saved and retained inside the reservoir, to which may in a few seconds be added fresh materials and a pressure again produced of one hundred pounds to the square inch, and so on acl hbz'tmn.

It must be kept in view that the method of charging my extinguisher is unlike that of Mullallys or any other heretofore constructed. By all previous methods the chemicals must be with great care arranged inside the reservoir and kept separate until after the secure closing' of the same before they can with safety be brought in con-V tact. By my improvement the means of closing the reservoir is so simplified that the chemicals are safely brought in contact before the reservoir is closed, only a portion of a second being :re quired to shut the cock.

In the light of the foregoing the ladvantages and novelty of my method of construction must be at once apparent. Instead of a leaky, cumbrous head piece, With its bolts and nuts, or Mullallys impractical screw-plug, neither of which can serve the end I propose, I use a simple cock or faucet, opening or closing by a single motion of the hand. In connection with this, also, is the air-vent, which economizes time when water is being introduced. This simple form of oonstructing extinguishers also reduces their cost, and the charges, being carried in a receptacle attached to the machine, are always at hand.

I am aware that previous to the date of my invention, chemicals, either in liquid or in powder, have been so arranged that they might be brought in contact inside of a previously-closed vessel, so as to produce carbonio-acid gas; but as this method is not new I lay no claim, broadly, to its employment. I am also aware that water charged with carbonio-acid gas has been previously used as a medium for extinguishing tires 5 but this be ing an invention of old date and in common use, I make no claim, broadly, t0 its employment.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The exhaust and charging cock B or equivalent, operating` as and for the purpose speciiied.

2. The employment of a cock or equivalent, other than that to which the hose is attached, as a vent by Which the contents of rire-extinguishers may be drawn off, as specified, for the purpose as set forth.

3. An air-vent, opening and closing simul taneously with and by the same means as the main passage to the reservoir, as set forth.

4. Attaching, to iireextinguishers areceptacle for holding charges, substantially as specified.

5. The combination of these several parts, as speciied, for the purpose set forth.

In Witness that the above is a true specification of my improved fire-extin gui sher I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day oi' March, 1871.

GORTON W. NICHOLS. [L sa] Witnesses:

A. M. Rien, II. S. ALBIN. (105) 

